Art Requirements

Tidewater Incentives Group offers a full service graphic arts department which includes:
Logo design
Graphic design
Product design
Web services

We accept just about any type of art from customers, however, unless it is designed specifically for the print job and submitted in a usable form it will probably need some sort of work by our graphic artist.

The following is a guide for submitting art to us as well as some definitions as they relate to our printing services. Programs used (Mac and PC)
Adobe Illustrator
Corel Draw
Adobe photoshop

Two types of image reproduction
Spot color
Refers to a method of printing utilizing solid areas of specific colors. Most logos are in spot color. Full color (or process color) Refers to the method of image reproduction using red, blue, yellow and black to create a full color image. Color photos are full color.

Printing methods
The following printing methods are used on items we customize. There is generally not a choice of the method, but rather the method is dictated by the design or the product.

Screen printing
Ink is pushed through an image on a screen and frame. Used for wearables, many flat surface items and promotional products. It is a very durable, solid, sharp and vibrant imprint. Not real good for full color printing. PMS colors are reproduced well. Details can drop out if they are very fine.

Pad printing
Ink is applied by a dense pad. Used for many promotional products. It is a very versatile method and can be used on odd shaped items. Ink layer is thin and light colors sometimes bleed out on dark backgrounds. Not real good for full color printing. PMS colors are reproduced well. Details are held well

Digital printing
Ink is applied with an inkjet type printer generally onto an adhesive material which is then applied to the product. It is an inexpensive way to get multi or full color onto an item. PMS color matches may not be good. Details are held well.

Foil stamping or Hot stamping
Print is stamped onto the product in a colored foil. It is a rich looking decoration but there are no PMS matches. Mostly done with one color imprints. Details can drop out if they are very fine.

Debossing
Image is pressed into the item with a die. No color is transferred unless a foil color is requested. No PMS matches. Details can drop out if they are very fine.

Embroidery
Image is sewn onto item. Very rich looking decoration. Used for spot color reproduction only. Limited PMS matching. Does not reproduce detail well.

Sublimation
Digital image is transferred onto item with heat and pressure. It is an inexpensive way to get multi or full color onto an item. PMS color matches may not be good. Details are held well.